Supporting Koala Conservation in the Clarence Valley
The Clarence Valley Koala Working Group (CVKWG) was established in August 2020 to strengthen koala conservation across the Clarence Valley. The group brings together representatives from the NSW Government, Clarence Valley Council, local environmental organisations, Landcare, WIRES, and community members from areas where koalas are known to occur. The Working Group plays a key role in progressing strategic planning for koala conservation and coordinating on-ground efforts across the region. Its purpose is to review current information, identify local threats, prioritise actions, strengthen local community engagement and guide collaborative efforts to improve outcomes for the koala population.
The group’s specific goals include:
- Reviewing relevant koala information for the Clarence Valley.
- Identifying key threats such as habitat loss, vehicle strike, and dog attack, and prioritising areas where these threats can be mitigated.
- Determining knowledge gaps and identifying further research needs within the region.
- Sourcing funding and resources to deliver targeted conservation and recovery actions.
The Clarence Valley Koala Working Group (CVKWG) was established in August 2020 to strengthen koala conservation across the Clarence Valley. The group brings together representatives from the NSW Government, Clarence Valley Council, local environmental organisations, Landcare, WIRES, and community members from areas where koalas are known to occur. The Working Group plays a key role in progressing strategic planning for koala conservation and coordinating on-ground efforts across the region. Its purpose is to review current information, identify local threats, prioritise actions, strengthen local community engagement and guide collaborative efforts to improve outcomes for the koala population.
The group’s specific goals include:
- Reviewing relevant koala information for the Clarence Valley.
- Identifying key threats such as habitat loss, vehicle strike, and dog attack, and prioritising areas where these threats can be mitigated.
- Determining knowledge gaps and identifying further research needs within the region.
- Sourcing funding and resources to deliver targeted conservation and recovery actions.
Creating Healthier Waterways through Water Sensitive Urban Design in Forster
Vehicles and industrial activities in urban areas deposit significant amounts of pollutants onto hard surfaces. When it rains, stormwater washes these contaminants into drains, ultimately carrying them to creeks and rivers.
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) aims to address these impacts by integrating natural processes into urban water management.
Its objectives include:
- Improving water quality
- Reducing runoff and flooding
- Enhancing biodiversity
- Creating greener, more livable spaces
By incorporating features such as wetlands, bioretention systems, and vegetated swales, WSUD delivers both environmental benefits and social amenity, contributing to healthier waterways and resilient communities.
Forster wetlands and bioretention basins WSUD operational maintenance works project was completed in 2025. The basins were designed and constructed between 2002-2018 as part of the Great Lakes Council water quality program. This stormwater treatment system project area consists of 14 basins and wetland ponds, which receive stormwater runoff via urban catchments.
In partnership with Alliance Construction Group and MidCoast Council, Envite completed a program of improving biodiversity and implementing non-structural controls (ecosystem services), to reduce pollutants at the source by maintaining and enhancing the natural capacity of the urban environment which will maintain clean waterways draining to Pipers Bay.
Vehicles and industrial activities in urban areas deposit significant amounts of pollutants onto hard surfaces. When it rains, stormwater washes these contaminants into drains, ultimately carrying them to creeks and rivers.
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) aims to address these impacts by integrating natural processes into urban water management.
Its objectives include:
- Improving water quality
- Reducing runoff and flooding
- Enhancing biodiversity
- Creating greener, more livable spaces
By incorporating features such as wetlands, bioretention systems, and vegetated swales, WSUD delivers both environmental benefits and social amenity, contributing to healthier waterways and resilient communities.
Forster wetlands and bioretention basins WSUD operational maintenance works project was completed in 2025. The basins were designed and constructed between 2002-2018 as part of the Great Lakes Council water quality program. This stormwater treatment system project area consists of 14 basins and wetland ponds, which receive stormwater runoff via urban catchments.
In partnership with Alliance Construction Group and MidCoast Council, Envite completed a program of improving biodiversity and implementing non-structural controls (ecosystem services), to reduce pollutants at the source by maintaining and enhancing the natural capacity of the urban environment which will maintain clean waterways draining to Pipers Bay.
Richmond River Catchment Koala Corridor Restoration
Envite is undertaking koala habitat restoration within the Northeast Hinterland and Banyabba ARKs of the Richmond Valley Catchment.
The project is also supporting landholders impacted by the 2022 floods by repairing eroded sites through tree planting, removal of weeds and debris.
The community has been engaged through community plantings with landholders and school students learning about koala habitat restoration and protection.
Envite is undertaking koala habitat restoration within the Northeast Hinterland and Banyabba ARKs of the Richmond Valley Catchment.
The project is also supporting landholders impacted by the 2022 floods by repairing eroded sites through tree planting, removal of weeds and debris.
The community has been engaged through community plantings with landholders and school students learning about koala habitat restoration and protection.
Conserving Ecosystems and Environmental Assets on Private Property in the Clarence Valley
Private landholders play a key role in nature conservation because large portions of native vegetation and wildlife habitat, and many threatened and endangered species are located on private properties.
Private landowners who have entered in private land conservation agreement with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) have received funding through their Conservation Partners Program to actively manage biodiversity and native vegetation on their land. Envite have been working with a number of different landowners across the Clarence Valley LGA to implement Ecological Restoration to conserve biodiversity and support productive landscapes.
The objective of works is to improve and protect the quality of ecosystems and environmental assets on private property.
Environmental restoration practitioners have been methodically managing the presence of highly threatening weed species in degraded areas of significant conservation value. This includes the control of weeds Lantana and Cats Claw Creeper. Weeds have been managed strategically with an awareness of forest dynamics, utilising management techniques that are ecologically relevant to the landscape context. Adaptability is required from site to site with techniques applied in regard to the ecosystems condition and resilience.
Private landholders play a key role in nature conservation because large portions of native vegetation and wildlife habitat, and many threatened and endangered species are located on private properties.
Private landowners who have entered in private land conservation agreement with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) have received funding through their Conservation Partners Program to actively manage biodiversity and native vegetation on their land. Envite have been working with a number of different landowners across the Clarence Valley LGA to implement Ecological Restoration to conserve biodiversity and support productive landscapes.
The objective of works is to improve and protect the quality of ecosystems and environmental assets on private property.
Environmental restoration practitioners have been methodically managing the presence of highly threatening weed species in degraded areas of significant conservation value. This includes the control of weeds Lantana and Cats Claw Creeper. Weeds have been managed strategically with an awareness of forest dynamics, utilising management techniques that are ecologically relevant to the landscape context. Adaptability is required from site to site with techniques applied in regard to the ecosystems condition and resilience.
Restoring Priority Koala Habitat on the NSW North Coast
This project requires bush regeneration and revegetation works within the Coffs Harbour – North Bellingen Areas of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS) as part of the Regional Land Partnerships Program protecting Koalas of the North Coast of NSW. The project is partnering with landowners, local government, and NSW government agencies to protect and restore priority koala habitat in selected ARKS in the north coast region of NSW.
This project requires bush regeneration and revegetation works within the Coffs Harbour – North Bellingen Areas of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS) as part of the Regional Land Partnerships Program protecting Koalas of the North Coast of NSW. The project is partnering with landowners, local government, and NSW government agencies to protect and restore priority koala habitat in selected ARKS in the north coast region of NSW.
Community Conservation of the Emu in the Bungawalbin Stage 2
The emu population in the NSW North Coast bioregion is endangered with likely less than 50 individuals remaining. Threats include extinctions caused by habitat fragmentation and isolated populations. Degradation of habitat by weeds (blocking movement of emus) and impacts of fires have contributed to recent range contraction and declines in abundance. Predation by feral dogs, pigs and foxes is a major threat. Vehicle strike has also been a major source of death on the NSW North Coast.
Recovery actions being addressed include restoring emu habitat through systematic weed control; vertebrate pest control and raising awareness of emu conservation and managing threats to increase participation in emu protection. The project involves a partnership between Envite Environment and Minyumai Indigenous bush regenerators. The two teams work together to restore emu habitat across NSW National Parks Reserves and private properties in the Bungawalbin area.
The emu population in the NSW North Coast bioregion is endangered with likely less than 50 individuals remaining. Threats include extinctions caused by habitat fragmentation and isolated populations. Degradation of habitat by weeds (blocking movement of emus) and impacts of fires have contributed to recent range contraction and declines in abundance. Predation by feral dogs, pigs and foxes is a major threat. Vehicle strike has also been a major source of death on the NSW North Coast.
Recovery actions being addressed include restoring emu habitat through systematic weed control; vertebrate pest control and raising awareness of emu conservation and managing threats to increase participation in emu protection. The project involves a partnership between Envite Environment and Minyumai Indigenous bush regenerators. The two teams work together to restore emu habitat across NSW National Parks Reserves and private properties in the Bungawalbin area.
Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund: Bungawalbin Community Bushfire Recovery
The bushfires of 2019-2020 burnt through almost the entire Bungwalbin area in Richmond Valley LGA devastating the local community and habitat for threatened species and ecological communities.
The Bungawalbin Community Bushfire Recovery Project is supporting ecological restoration, employment and strengthening community resilience through implementation of bushfire recovery activities across public and private land. The project involves a partnership between the local community, Bungawalbin Landcare, Bandjalang Traditional Owners and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The bushfires of 2019-2020 burnt through almost the entire Bungwalbin area in Richmond Valley LGA devastating the local community and habitat for threatened species and ecological communities.
The Bungawalbin Community Bushfire Recovery Project is supporting ecological restoration, employment and strengthening community resilience through implementation of bushfire recovery activities across public and private land. The project involves a partnership between the local community, Bungawalbin Landcare, Bandjalang Traditional Owners and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.